Illegal Migrants Can Now Book Their Own Deportation Flights

The Trump administration on Monday conducted a first-of-its-kind voluntary deportation flight, transporting dozens of migrants who sought to self-deport rather than face forced removal.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assisted with transporting 68 participants back to their home counties of Honduras and Colombia under Project Homecoming, according to a press release from the administration. The illegal migrants were offered generous incentives for participating: a free flight, a $1,000 stipend and a chance to, someday in future, return to the U.S. legally.

Departing from Houston, Texas, the voluntary deportation flight dropped 38 participants off in Honduras who were “warmly welcomed” by their home government, according to DHS. The chartered flight dispatched an additional 26 participants to their home country of Colombia. DHS stated that both groups received social service benefits from their home countries in addition to the incentives provided by the Trump administration.

“Today, DHS conducted its first Project Homecoming charter flight of 64 individuals who voluntarily chose to self-deport to their home counties of Honduras and Colombia,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a prepared statement.

“If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home,” Noem continued. “If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return.”

The Project Homecoming charter flight is the latest strategy by DHS to remove illegal migrants from the U.S., a top priority of the White House.

Earlier in May, President Donald Trump issued an executive order establishing Project Homecoming — an initiative to provide government-funded flights and a “exit bonus” to participating illegal migrants. DHS also